This should be taken to Classic as there would be better posts. Hopkins said if him & Hagler fight they would both be in an 'ICU" lol. No one "dominates" either guy not even themselves. Hagler is more skilled but Hopkins is pretty much as crafty as you can be so that would make for a close fight. Very close.
I greatly respect Hagler, but there was a reason he stayed at middleweight, except legacy. Hagler was a great boxer - puncher, yes, but what set him apart was that extra physical toughness. He would not have that advantage over Hopkins who was strong enough to bully Tarver around the ring.
Hagler isn't close to the same fighter as RJJ, not in style and not in talent. RJJ is the best MW who ever lived, and he would make the second best look silly. Whether you think SRL and Hearns are just superhumanly, inconceivably superior to Tito and ODLH, the fact is THAT SRL was coming off a three year retirement and was far far far from his best, and it was still good enough to beat an active MW Hagler. For any rational person, this speaks volumes about Hagler.
Hopkins 55/45. I'd put good money on Hopkins beating all of Hagler's opponents. I know Hagler would definitely lose against Hopkins's opponents.
Hagler, too good technically and physically strong on the inside and that's where I think this would take place. Plus most of his best middleweight wins are actually..middleweights.
While it wouldn't be easy, I'd lean towards the prime Hagler who was an absolutely superb technician. Very rarely of balance, could throw every punch in the book with fabulous fluidity, feinted well, had a right jab that could knock people back a step or two...and could switch very effectively to fight orthodox as well. It's often forgotten just how good his lateral movement could be as well. And his ability to punch, while moving laterally, to the head and body.
Excellent post. I think Hagler's pressure would wear Hopkins out a bit and allow Hagler to win a close decision. BTW, I still think Hagler beat Leonard.
Hagler would find it difficult to deal with Hopkins lateral movement. Duran and Leonard had success fighting on the back foot, and countering. Hearns and Mugabi failed brawling with Hagler. Hopkins would deal with Hagler, Hagler was smaller in weight, height and reach. This aint Calzaghe vs Hagler thread when Calzaghe has never shown in any of his fights he can box on the back foot, Hopkins is an ATG in terms of defensive fighting.
I admit styles make fights, but funny how you pick Hagler to beat Calzaghe by KO, yet pick Hopkins who lost to Calzaghe to beat Hagler. Hagler may be listed as 5ft 9 1/2 but seemed to look smaller. Hagler would have lost to Hopkins and Calzaghe, but that dosent discredit his achievements
Roy Jones Jr., Antonio Tarver, Joe Calzaghe all have quite a decent chance of beating him. I mean Tarver would have a gigantic weight advantage, Roy Jones is Roy Jones, and Calzaghe is bigger as well as being an excellent fighter. Hagler is an ATG middleweight, don't get me wrong, but Jones Jr. and Hopkins have done things he could never do, such as winning a HW title and fighting at an elite level in his 40s. I think Roy and Bernard could have replicated Hagler's success IMO. I don't even know why I'm saying this actually, as it has no bearing on a Hopkins-Hagler match. This is quite an interesting match-up. I can't pick a winner but if I had a gun to my head I would say Hopkins. Nobody is getting knocked out though.